Scattered to gregarious under ornamental birches (Betula spp.); fruiting from late summer in watered areas, again after fall rains.

Edibility

Inedible, acrid.

Comments

The above description has been written broadly to reflect the considerable variability reported for Lactarius pubescens var. betulae. Local material has a pale, azonate cap, white, unchanging latex, and a non-scrobiculate stipe, but some collections have been reported to have faintly zoned caps, a white, slowly yellowing latex, and may appear scrobiculate. The association with ornamental birches is an important field character and helps to distinguish this species from Lactarius torminosus var. nordmanensis. The latter according to Methven, occurs only in montane areas under Salix and Populus species, and has larger spores.